The House of Commons rose for the summer recess on Tuesday and the House of Lords on Wednesday. By the end of Wednesday, after the House had risen, there was still a good deal of activity. The Despatch Box (the snack bar) in the Atrium in Portcullis House was well patronised. The giveaway that we…
I have rarely heard such a disgruntled debate as last night on the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill. Lord Norton has already given the background in his blog of 22 March and was on fine form in the chamber. Lady Boothroyd, the former Speaker of the Commons, not normally given to hyperbole except in her…
The Easter recess dates have been announced and we now seem to be working to the following timetable. The House rises for the Easter recess on Tuesday 30 March. It returns on Tuesday 6 April, when it is assumed the election will be announced, with ‘wash-up’ taking place from then until Thursday 8 April. Parliament…
The Constitution Committee took evidence yesterday as part of its current inquiry into referendums. We heard from Peter Facey, of Unlock Democracy, and Peter Kellner, of YouGov, and then from Stuart Weir, of the Democratic Audit, and Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, who is undertaking a study of deliberative democracy. What was interesting, and unexpected,…
Earlier this year, the Constitution Committee published a report on emergency, or fast track, legislation. Very little study has been undertaken of such legislation, even though there is a general recognition that legislating in haste may not necessarily produce good legislation. The report made various recommendations for change, not least that there should be a…
